The Effects of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Including Micronutrient Deficiency in Brooklyn, NY

Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD, is an umbrella term used to describe several conditions, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. These diseases carry with them several significant health complications, including the risk of micronutrient deficiency. While there is no current cure for these conditions, Dr. Alexander Shapsis and his team at Atlantic Gastroenterology in Brooklyn, NY, work with patients to help educate and understand the exact origin of their condition. Because these conditions cannot currently be cured, Dr. Shapsis helps patients find ways to make living with these diseases easier so they may live as normal a life as possible.

Let us quickly go over the two most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease, which include:

• Ulcerative colitis: A condition that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers (sores) throughout the inner lining of the colon (large intestine) and rectum.
• Crohn’s disease: This form of inflammatory bowel disease is indicated when you have inflammation in the lining of your digestive tract. It can often spread deep into these affected tissues.

Both of these conditions are typically associated with symptoms including moderate to severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. Inflammatory bowel disease can often be debilitating and, in some instances, even lead to life-threatening complications.

Seeing a Doctor About Your IBD

See a doctor if you have noticed a long-term and persistent difference in your bowel habits or if you have noticed any of the signs or symptoms of IBD, which include:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Stools that have blood in it
• Reduction in appetite
• Unwanted weight loss

In most cases, inflammatory bowel disease does not prove to be fatal but is a serious disease that, in some cases when left untreated, could lead to life-threatening complications.

IBD Risk Factors

Let’s look at some of the risk factors which could leave you susceptible to inflammatory bowel disease. These risk factors include:

• Age: Many who are diagnosed with IBD receive their diagnosis before their 30th birthday. This doesn’t mean you can’t develop it later in life.
• Family History: If you have a close relative who suffers from IBD, you are at a higher risk of developing it as well.
• Smokers: Smokers are at a higher risk for IBD and are the most controllable of all the risk factors because you can simply choose to quit. Not only will your risk for IBD lower, but your risk of other smoking-related health complications will be lowered as well.

 If you feel you may be suffering from IBD or just wish to receive more information on the matter, please call Atlantic Gastroenterology at 718 521-2840 to speak to Dr. Alexander Shapsis.

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